Section insulator and switch.



N. K BOWMAN.

SECTION INSULATOR AND SWITCH.

'APPLICATlON FILED MAR. 9, 1917- Patented. Apr. 16, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L N. K. BOWMAN. SECTION INSULATOR AND SWITCH.

' APPLiCATION FILED MAR. 9, 1917- Patented Apr. 16; 1918.

2 SHEET$SHEET 2.

NEWTON K. BOWMAN, 0F CANTON, OHIO.

SECTION INSULATOR AND SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

Application filed. March 9, 1917. Serial No. 153,668.

To-aZZ whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, NEWTON K. BOWMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Section Insulators and Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in section insulators and hand switches, one object of my invention being the provision of a section insulator and hand switch for trolley wires of the type in which the adjacent ends of trolley wires are clamped in splice sleeves forming part of the body of the insulator so that any slack in the wires may be taken up from time to time without the necessity of cutting the wires.

The primary object of my invention, however, consists in the provision of a section insulator and switch of the above type which will insure perfect 'll'lStIliltlOIl of the sections when the switch is open and perfect contact when the switch is closed.

A further object which I have in view-is the provision of a device of this character which will afford a continuous contact for the'trolley wheel when the switch is closed and which will insure a safe passage for the trolley wheel in case, through oversight, the switch should not be closed. Nhile keeping these objects in mind, I

also aim to construct a section insulator and switch which may be quickly and easily applied, conveniently operated and which is simple and economical in construction, the parts being so arranged as to permit renewal of worn contacts or other'parts at small expense. v

More specifically, my section insulator and switch includes a pair of splice sleeves to receive ends of an adjacent trolley wire section, the splice sleeves being connected in spaced relation by a block of insulating material and each splice sleeve carrying a switch arm, each having contact plates engageable by the other and the switch arms being connected for simultaneous swinging movement toward and away from each other.

One of the objects of this invention resides in the provision of a novel form of connecting means between the switch arms so that the switch arms will be insulated from each other when in open position, this means being adjustable to permittaking up of the parts when rendered necessary because of wear. 7

Another object of the present invention consists in mounting a bridging contact member upon one of the splice sleeves capable of being swung to extend partially beneath the insulating block and provide with the splice sleeves a continuous electric support for a trolley wheel and in providing a novel form of'connection between one of the switch arms and this bridging contact, whereby the bridging contact will be moved simultaneously with the switch arms.

With these and other objects in view, my

invention will be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and then specifically pointed out in'the claims which are attached to and form a part of this application. 3

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my section v insulator and switch in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a corresponding view of the device 111 open position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device in closed position;

'Fig. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view showing features ofthe switch construction and bridging contact member;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, looking in the.

direction of the arrows r Fig. 6 is a perspective View ofthe splice sleeves and their connection, this figure also showing the bridging contact member in active position. 1

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of'the drawings by the same reference characters.

Broadly speaking, my second insulator and switch. primarily includes an intermediate section or bond 10 of insulation, carrying at its ends splice sleeves 11 which 'in turn carry a switch structure, indicated as a whole by the numeral 12. The intermediate section 10 may be formed of fiber or any other suitable insulating material, being substantially rectangular in cross section with its lower edge plain surfaced. Each of the splice sleeves includes a closed sleeve proper adapted to snugly receive one end of the intermediate section 10 to which it is secured by rivets 13 or other suitable fastening means. Each splice sleeve, beyond this V Fig. 1.

body portion proper, is cut-away along its upper portion to provide-aYUshaped trolley 1 Wire receiving portion 14. The bottom wall the sleeve, as smooth and continuous a bear- 'ing surface for the trolley wheemspossime;

These-splice sleeves, near their outer ends, are fornied'with j upwardly directed opposed ears l5 preferablyrhickened by efiteriorly formed bosses 16 and a rivet, fb'olt or othe'r suitable fastening "device 17 is passed throiigh these e'ars'an'd-forins the pivot for bumping dog 18. ,The'se clamping dogs mayb'eof any suitable typarhose shown in the drawings 'being eachin the former a number offplates 'of'suitable metal, sashes steertaviaga camshap'ed head 19 formed an eccentric point-with an opening for the p'ivotl'f "and at one side with a handle foini'i'1ig sliank 20, the free ends of the shanks of allof 'these'sec'tions being loosely secured. by a rivet 21hr other fastening device. Thep'eiipherlal edges of the cam heads of the sectionsfare formed with V-shaped wire engagingteeth 22* in order that the ends of trolley wires passed into the splice sleeves may be firmly clamped place by swingingthe dogs to the positions shown in The top "of each or the body portions proper of the splice sleeve s ll formed Wltl'lfl illl upwardly directed threaded stud 23, these studs serving as pivotal supports for the switch structure which Will now be explained A substantially L-shaped switch arm 24 is formed adjacent its bend and upon its upper face with a reinforcingboss 25 throughwhich is =anopening permitting the mounting of the arm upon one of the studs23 Ihe upper-face of this switch arm is formed throughout the greater portion of its length-with a; longitudinal reinforcing rib 26 and the arm isheldagainst displacement fro1n thestud byaanut ll'i A spring washer-28 is inter-posed between the boss and nut and is provided with an extension having amotch 29 toengage 1 over this rib 26'tohold'thewasher against turning move-ment, the washer-in turn anchoring the nut against-Turning In like manne r, second substantially -L-shaped switch arm 30 is prov-ided this arm'at one end being reinforced by a boss 31' through which is formed anqopening to receive the other stud 28 upon which the arm is mounted and securedby-a nut 32 and spring washer 33, the washer=having a notched extension extend ing over a longitudinal reinforcing rib 855i This switcharm 30, adjacent its benchfis formed with an outward extension 36 providedgwith a strengthening boss 37 and rib 38 and the shorter end of the switch arm 2-1 is also provided with a reinforcing boss ceivin o enin 'sand ins 40 are assed through the ends of a link 41 and through the openingsof the bosses and anchored against displacement by cotter pins 12 or other'suitable fastening devices. ;This link 41 includes a pair of squared headed bolts 43, each'hea'chof which is formed with transverse openings 44 extending at right angles to each other to receive the 'p'ins40 sothat either bolti'nay be' megs-6d,; given av quarter turn and reapplied; The threaded shanks of these bo'ltsengag'e in the ends of a link or insulating material that the switch arms are in sulaman sm each otherwhen'in open position. The function of this link is to secure simultaneous and reverse movement of tliestvitch arms when either arm is inanw "ally moved; As will be seen, the switch armsj'are mounted to" swing one upon either sideo'f' the intermediate section of the deivicefand each arni,"intermediate itslength,

has laterally directed web portion so; to the iippr aii d loxiver Sides'dfWliic'h are secured apposed resilient contact plate 4min nee ends of when are beat-outwardly away from each other somewhat, as sho wii' at 48;

in order that the free end of'the opposite Siwnch"mayaeng gesnagly between them when the fswiteh" i's" biased-passion; as shown inrigs; 1,3 ai1'd"5, the switch 'ari'n's, togetherf with these contact plates, forming in etfecta doubld'knife'bla'de s itch reabsolutely ifi s'urean unrestricted a s-aga n c rrenvfmm one splice sleeve t6 the other when the switch' is closed;

The" 'svitch"sis er; aeen tlitsi free and, is formed' With an aa uiasly *projeuhg shank 4595' the free 5511aof"nannies-mesa handle50. A disk shapedshield 51 dinner or other suitable insulatingmaterial; is preferably interposed between" the handle and shank 46in ora' r 'tg protection operator from an possible "injuryfdiiegto arcing when opening andj'clo ing the switeh'. As will he ap a"1iei1i;,"this handle 'pi-djats' laterally from the side of the Seaman-insulatorand switchand ma therefore, be conveniently graspedfOr opening and closing or the switchllb oth"switchlarins iii o'ving simultaneously and in bppdsitsuii ecneas because of the (ionneciting li'nk lllj The switch arm 24 is preferably proviaed ras shownfin Fig. 3, with a downwardly roj cringisiap lug adapted ro e gage/111e, adjac nt spines sleeve 11' when the switch 'is in fully ripen position. A 5 7 In order to insures cominaoiis' esm ziet or the trolley wheel when passingthe closed a pair of vertically spaced ears 56 projecting laterally from the upper portion of that sleeve 11 to which the switch arm30 is pivoted, the bolt being secured by a nut 57. This arm, at its inner edge and adjacent its free end, is providedwith a depending vertical contact plate 58 adapted, in one position, to engage against the adjacent face of the insulating block l0and provided at its lower edge with a lateral bridging flan e 59, the ends of which are cut at opposite angles, as shown at (50 in Fig. 4, in order that the bridging flange may wedge closely between the correspondingly formed ends of the sleeves 11 and so form a true bridge between them. The lower face of this flange should, of course, be rounded, as shown in Fig. 5, to conform to the, shaping of the trolley wheel receiving port-ions of the sleeves. Preferably, the plate portion 58 of the bridging contact member is provided with a lateralreinforcing flange 60. The arm 5% of this contact member is formed with a slot 61 and a pin 62 which may be formed integrally with the arm 30 operates in this slot in such a manner-that movement of the switch to closed position will bring the bridging contact member to active position, while when the switch is opened, such memher will assume the position shown in Fig. 2. By this means, a continuous energized contact surface is provided for the trolley wheel when the switch is closed.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings, ample space is provided for the passage of a trolley wheel when the switch is opened so that no in ury will be caused either tothe trolley wheel or to the switch arms, in case the switch should be left open through oversight. Inasmuch as my section insulator and switch is extremely simple in construction, its operation will be readily appreciated by referring to the.

drawings and no further explanation is believed to be necessary. All arcing at the switch during the passage of a trolley wheel is prevented as the wheel at no time engages an unenergized portion of the device.

Although I have illustrated and described my invention in all its details of construction, it will of course be understood that I reserve the right to make any changes, within the scope of the appended claims, which may be found desirable, without in the slightest degree departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: j

1. A section insulator and switch including an intermediate body of insulating material, wire receiving splice sleeves carried by the body and insulated from each other thereby, switch arms mounted upon the sleeves and each having a contact plate engageable by the other switch arm inone position of the arms, and an adjustable insulating connection between the switch arms whereby they will swing in unison. j

2. A section insulator and switch including I an intermediate body of insulating material,

wire receiving splice sleeves carried by the body and insulated from each other thereby, switch arms mounted upon the sleeves and each having a contact plate engageable by the other switch arm in one position of the arms, and an adjustable insulating connection between the switch arms whereby they will swing in unison, said connection including a linl: of insulating material, bolts threaded into the ends of the link and having heads formed with openings, and pins inserted through the openingsand engaging in the switch arms.

8. A section insulatorand switch includ: ing trolley wire receiving splice sleeves, a member oi insulating material connecting the splice sleeves, switch arms swingingly mounted upon the splice sleeves and movable toward and away from each other toclose and open a circuit between the splice sleeves, means for manually swinging one of the switch arms, and an insulating adjustable connection between the switch arms.

4. A section insulator and switch including trolley wire receiving splice sleeves, a member of insulating material connecting the splice sleeves, switch arms swingingly mounted upon the splice sleeves and movable toward and away from each other to open and close a circuit between the splice sleeves, means swingingly carried by one of the splice sleeves for bridging the gap between the adjacent ends of the splice sleeves to afford a continuous electrical contact for a trolley passing the switch when the latter is closed, and connecting means between one of the switch arms and said bridging means whereby the bridging means will be brought to active position when the switch is closed.

5. A section insulator and switch including trolley wire receiving splice sleeves, a member of insulating material connecting the splice sleeves, switch arms swingingly mounted upon the splice sleeves and movable toward and away from each other to open and close a circuit between the splice sleeves. means swingingly carried by one of the splice sleeves for bridging gap between the adjacent ends of the splice sleeves to afford continuous electrical contact for a trolley passing the switch when the latter is closed, and connecting means between one of the switch arms and said bridging means whereby the bridging means will be brought to active position when the switch is closed, said connecting means including an element projecting from oneof the switch arms and operating in a slot formed in the bridging means.

6. A section insulator and switch including trelley Wire reeeiv'ifig splice sleeve, member of insulating mtteiizfl ebhneeting the splice sleeves, arm pivoted t5" nine of the s'phc'e s'leevee ai'ldlhaving ztfde'pending plate pdrtion carrying at its meet edge 1 bridging flange adapted t'e 's at closelybetwee ii 'the ends of the splice Sleeves ziii'd against the lower portion 6f the member of insulating matelia'l in one pgsitioh CI" the arm, Switch aI'mS swingingly nuiu' ted "upbli the splice sleeves and movable 'tdward and 7 A seeti'o'n irisnlator and with inehifl} ing tfelley wire receiving 'splicesleevesya member of insulating material ebnnetilig the spliee sleeves, an arm pivoted tb one of the s'p'lie Sleeves ah'd "having a depending plate pbftioli cm-fy'ing it its lower edge ;a br'idgirig' flange adapted td'sett c'losery 16efiopi'ee (if this patentmaly be eb'teinedfor S. Afs'eetibh iiisuliit'dr aiid swithinclud 111g trolley wlre rec'e lvmg spllce sleeves, 2L member "f nsulatlng material i confiec tlng ing membe opefatd by orie 'sivith arm and afdapted Whefi the with a'r'ms engage each ether td engztge between the splice sleeves to provid'with them a Contiiiiibu's electrical In testiriidnjfiherbfl my signature.

NEWTQN K. BOWMAN; i [L. s.] 

